Real Estate is a People Business and requires the agent to have the following 10 People Skills. your Agent should possess. I believe these skills are important for both Sellers and Buyers and are what you should look for when selecting an agent to work with you.

When you need to find someone to help you sell a home what are the qualities that are most important to you?

You want some who has experience with both selling and buying

You want someone who has knowledge about the real estate market

You want someone who will give you the best exposure

I could go on but these three seem to be the most common skills wanted by anyone who is looking for an agent. Yet every agent will tell you they are the most experienced, have the best knowledge and have the best technology to give your home the best exposure.

So the next question to ask is How can I tell the difference between them and are there any other qualities that are important to me? I would say the following qualities come up a close second.

You want someone who you like

You want someone who communicates well

You want someone who is flexible

I think the second tier of qualities follows some ones gut instincts and most people trust their gut when selecting an agent.

We have heard that many Millienials are consumed with too much student debt and more likely to rent vs buying in urban centers where they can live close to where they work and public transportation.

In contrast there are 10,000 Baby Booomers retiring each day and most likely be downsizing and moving to urban centers or warmer climates or living in both location.

According to University's Joint Center of Housing those 55 and older account for 42% of the growth of urban renters. This posses a problem and challenge for the housing market. First who are those people buying the homes of these empty nester baby boomers? Second will there be enough rental units to support the demand of both Boomers and Millenials.

On the flipside I see many opportunities for future housing. Millenials who are saddled with too much debt need more affordable housing. There is a need for more Small spaces or apartment cooperatives to serve the Millenials. Baby Boomers on the otherhand have disposable income and savings are willing to pay more for luxury rentals that have amenities.

2015 is finally coming to a close and it’s time again to see how the year did in relation to 2014 statistics. The review is for a micro market review of Evanston and Wilmette Communities. Statistics are from all sales posted up to December 29, 2015 a couple of days before the end of the year.

I have included both Single Family and Attached closed statistics for each community.

Year 2014: Single Family

City

# Closed

Avg. Sold Price

Avg. Days on Mkt.

% Increase/ Decrease

Evanston

424

$525,432

71

0

Wilmette

368

$861,219

58

0

Year 2015: Single Family

City

# Closed

Avg. Sold Price

Avg. Days on Mkt.

% Increase/ Decrease

Evanston

485

$576,526

81

9%

Wilmette

358

$852,961

72

0

Summary:

All year agents were complaining about low inventory but in reality the number of homes sold was the same for single family homes for the past two years. Evanston prices actually increased 9% while Wilmette remained about the same. Wilmette’s average home prices however are much higher than Evanston. The average market time was also the same for the past two years.

Yr 2014: Attached

>

City

# Closed

Avg. Sold Price

Avg. Days on Mkt.

% Increase/ Decrease

Evanston

548

$260,949

89

0%

Wilmette

95

$335,373

114

0%

Year 2015 Attached

>

City

# Closed

Avg. Sold Price

Avg. Days on Mkt.

% Increase/ Decrease

Evanston

637

$258,292

92

0%

Wilmette

83

$341,445

109

1%

Summary:

Attached properties include both condo and townhouse sales. Evanston has more attached homes than Wilmette. Inventory levels for Evanston were slightly better than Wilmette. However the average sale price seems to be flat with no increase. Average days on market is also about the same.

There are more independent agents than agents working in national franchise companies

As the agent population grows more of them are deciding to work for independent brokerages vs national franchise companies.

97% of all independent agents say they would never consider moving to a national franchise company.

Why the shift to Independent brokerages?

there are no franchise fees

less beaurocracy and office politics

more flexibility to adapt to local markets

less value joining a national franchise

As an Independent Broker I find this information comforting because as an Independent I tell my clients you do not have to be big to be successful. You just have to rely on your skills and have confidence in yourself and give your clients good service.